Herakleios and Herakleios Constantine (ca. 616–ca. 625)

Previous Editions

DO Seals 6, no. 14.4.

Details

Diameter:

26 mm

Condition:

Chipped.

Obverse

The Mother of God standing, wearing a chiton and maphorion, and holding Christ before her. A small cross potent at left and right. The ends of the cross at right flare more than the ends of the one at left. Wreath border.

Reverse

Bust of Herakleios at left, and a smaller bust of Herakleios Constantine at right. Each wears a crown and a chlamys fastened on the right shoulder with a fibula. Herakleios is shown with a beard of medium length and Herakleios Constantine is beardless. Herakleios’s hairstyle is unclear. Faint traces of a circular inscription beginning at left. Wreath border.

Translation

Audio

Commentary

On the seals dated ca. 616–ca. 625, Herakleios has a longer beard and Herakleios Constantine’s bust is now somewhat larger than on earlier specimens. Dating follows the numismatic evidence.

Seibt (Bleisiegel, 69) has employed the following criteria for classifying and dating seals, from ca. 616–ca. 625, with representations of Herakleios and Herakleios Constantine. (1) ca. 616–ca. 625: the imperial hair style changes, as the ends now curl outward; the Virgin’s right foot supports her weight. (2) ca. 620–25: Herakleios’s beard is longer and thicker.